I don't find it off-putting. I may or may not agree that the software is beautiful because, as you point out, people often have different opinions on what constitutes beauty.
All the same, I find it useful to know that the authors of the software consider "beauty" one of their goals. And beauty does not preclude utility.
All the same, I find it useful to know that the authors of the software consider "beauty" one of their goals. And beauty does not preclude utility.